BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Gov. Charlie Baker is asking anyone entering Massachusetts to self-quarantine for 14 days.
At a press conference on Friday morning, Gov. Baker said the measure is in response to the severe spread of coronavirus across the U.S., including in New York City.
"The White House Coronavirus Task Force recently advised anyone leaving the New York area or has traveled through New York City to immediately self isolate for 14 days," Baker said. "Starting today, all travelers arriving to the Commonwealth are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days."
In order to let people know they must self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival to the Bay State, Baker said there will be "information flyers" at Logan airport, South Station, Worcester airport, in rest stops on the Massachusetts Turnpike and on roadside message boards, which will instruct them of the quarantine.
"We're instructing all visitors arriving in Massachusetts to comply with this request for the sake of protecting the most vulnerable among us all. Our parents, grandparents, those with underlying health conditions," Baker said.
The Governor also said he is asking anyone who does enter the state to keep away from communities who have been isolating for several weeks.
"We're asking that folks considering traveling to Massachusetts, for whatever reason, do not travel to our communities, especially if you have symptoms."
Baker also emphasized he is calling the instruction an "advisory," and not "an enforcement mechanism."
There are a number of people exempt from the quarantine advisory, such as health care workers, public health workers, public safety workers and transportation workers.
Baker said the Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, local mayors and other town officials, and health care workers are doing "all they can" to slow the spread of the virus in the northeast.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@KarynRegal) reports:
(Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio)
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